Method and device for deep brain stimulation

Abstract

A method of treatment performed on a subject's brain includes a step of applying one or more neuromodulation signals to the lateral habenula and the posterior commissure.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of treatment performed on a subject's brain, the method comprising:
 a step of applying one or more neuromodulation signals to the lateral habenula and the posterior commissure; 
 applying one or more neuromodulation signals to one or more additional targets in the subject's brain, wherein the one or more additional targets include the dorsomedial nucleus of the thalamus; 
 wherein a first neuromodulation signal having a first frequency is applied to the dorsomedial nucleus, and one or more second neuromodulation signals are applied to the lateral habenula and the posterior commissure, wherein each of the one or more second neuromodulation signals has a frequency lower than the first frequency. 
 
     
     
       2. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first frequency is greater than 70 Hz, and each of the one or more second neuromodulation signals has a frequency between 4 and 50 Hz. 
     
     
       3. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more additional targets include the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray, VL-PAG. 
     
     
       4. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more second neuromodulation signals are applied to the lateral habenula, the posterior commissure and the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray, VL-PAG. 
     
     
       5. A method according to  claim 1 , further including applying a neuromodulation signal to the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex and/or the corpus callosum. 
     
     
       6. A method according to  claim 1 , further including detecting a physiological parameter of the subject, and adjusting at least one of the one or more neuromodulation signals based on the detected physiological parameter. 
     
     
       7. A method according to  claim 1 , further including adjusting at least one of the one or more neuromodulation signals based on the subject's circadian rhythm. 
     
     
       8. A method according to  claim 1 , further including applying a stimulation signal to one of a carotid body or a carotid baroreceptor in the subject. 
     
     
       9. A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method is for treating one or more of hypertension, a traumatic brain injury, cerebral vasospasm, cerebral infarction, a brain tumour, cerebral glioma, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, multiple system atrophy, multiple sclerosis, addiction, depression, schizophrenia, obesity, renal failure, epilepsy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. 
     
     
       10. A method of treatment performed on a subject's brain, the method comprising:
 identifying a trajectory in the subject's brain, the trajectory linking the dorsomedial nucleus and the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray, VL-PAG across the lateral habenula and the posterior commissure; 
 implanting an electrode lead into the subject's brain along the identified trajectory, the electrode lead including a plurality of electrodes for applying the one or more neuromodulation signals; and 
 applying one or more neuromodulation signals to the lateral habenula and the posterior commissure. 
 
     
     
       11. A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the trajectory is such that a spacing between the electrode lead and the lateral habenula is less than 5 mm, and/or a spacing between the electrode lead and the posterior commissure is less than 5 mm. 
     
     
       12. A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the trajectory further passes adjacent to one of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex wherein the electrode lead includes an electrode arranged to apply the neuromodulation signal to the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex or the corpus callosum wherein the electrode lead includes an electrode arranged to apply the neuromodulation signal to the corpus callosum. 
     
     
       13. A method according to  claim 10 , further including implanting a second electrode lead into the subject's brain, the second electrode lead including an electrode arranged to apply the neuromodulation signal to one of the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex or the corpus callosum.